The second round of the French Open wraps up on Day 5. Thursday will see 16 women’s matches, and we’re here at LWOT to predict all of them for you. Who will win? We look at all 16 matches across four articles. The other three articles headline Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko, Kristyna Pliskova vs Garbine Muguruza, and Sofia Kenin vs Ana Bogdan. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Ewan West.
French Open Day 5 Predictions
Zhang Shuai vs Alize Cornet
Jim:
Zhang was most impressive in her win over Madison Keys, but she will face a very different challenge when she steps on to court to face Cornet. The Frenchwoman has been in fine form of late. She also often seems to save her best tennis for the big stage and, although she won’t be able to call on the support of the Parisian crowd, her counter-punching game should see her past Zhang.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Damian:
Alize Cornet had some great runs at the French Open in the past but I’m not convinced this match will come easy for her. Zhang picked up some form in Strasbourg and impressed in a win over Madison Keys. Still, clay is not exactly the Chinese’ favorite surface.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Ewan:
Cornet leads the head-to-head 3-2, though none of those meetings came on clay. Both were impressive in round one – particularly Zhang in her upset of 12th seed Madison Keys. Home favorite Cornet–who has twice reached the last 16 at Roland Garros–has impressed since the tour restarted and should have the edge.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Julia Goerges vs Laura Siegemund
Jim:
Goerges’ last two matches have been night and day. In Rome, the German was thrashed by Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-1, but she rebounded from that defeat to upset the 19th seed Alison Riske. If she can maintain that level against Siegemund, who benefitted from another startling, if perhaps understandable, loss of concentration from Kristina Mladenovic, expect Goerges to reach the third round.
Prediction: Goerges in 3
Damian:
Julia Goerges only had one dreadful loss on the clay this year prior to coming to Paris but she managed to beat Alison Riske in the opening round. This surface is where Siegemund’s game shines though with her employment of all-court tactis and smart baselining.
Prediction: Siegemund in 2
Ewan:
Siegemund remarkably saved seven set points in the opening set of her straight-set win against Kiki Mladenovic in Round 1, while Goerges saw off Alison Riske. Siegemund has played and won far more recent matches and that should favor her against her compatriot.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Clara Tauson vs Danielle Collins
Jim:
Tauson may be only 17, but she has been playing with a maturity that belies her lack of years so far in Paris, coming through the qualifying in fine style before upsetting US Open semifinalist Jennifer Brady in the first round. But Collins put in a determined performance in the first round and it may be difficult for Tauson to recover after her lengthy three-set battle against Brady.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Damian:
The talented Dane was fantastic in that upset win against Jennifer Brady. She’s an excellent prospect for the future and although it might be a little bit premature to expect a steady level, I’d back her to win again against Collins, who can be very hit or miss.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Ewan:
Tauson earned a remarkable three-set win against US Open semi-finalist Jennifer Brady in her Grand Slam main draw debut – after coming through qualifying. The 17-year-old former Australian Open Junior champion is capable of backing it up against Collins, who has been short of form and matches.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Petra Kvitova vs Jasmine Paolini
Jim:
Kvitova made a solid start to her French Open campaign, beating Oceane Dodin in straight sets. She will likely be made to work harder by Paolini, who picked up a solid win over Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov, but this is nonetheless a match that the Czech should win.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Damian:
The Czech seems like one of the players that could benefit from these conditions. Her ground game was very good in the opening round and she should power through here.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Ewan:
Both earned solid straight-set wins in Round 1–Paolini’s being her first Grand Slam main draw victory. It is hard, though, to see her troubling Kvitova–who has the sheer power to succeed in these slow conditions.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
